Clicky

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2013
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched February 2009
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and L20 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The A3500 IS was revealed 3 years later than the L20 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the L20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon L20

 A3500 IS L20 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon A3500 IS

 L20 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon L20

 A3500 IS L20 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS offers outside dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Nikon L20 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon L20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the A3500 IS and the L20.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and L20 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and L20.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon A3500 IS to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern A3500 IS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L20
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competitors (135g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
lighter than others in class (135g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography information
Nikon L20 Sports photography information
38
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
includes focus by touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L20 Landscape photography details
42
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery power (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
27
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon L20 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
24
lighter than others in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 135g (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $115 $120